Report: Sporting KC stake sold at $700M valuation

Field Level Media|published: 01/20/2026, 12:52pm EST

Oct 18, 2025; Kansas City, Kansas, USA; Sporting Kansas City forward Santiago Munoz (7) attempts a bicycle kick during the second half against Houston Dynamo at Children's Mercy Park. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

Wealth advisor Peter Mallouk finalized his purchase of a majority stake in Sporting Kansas City at a valuation of $700 million, ESPN reported.

Previously a minority shareholder, Mallouk's ownership stake will increase to 80% as a result of the sale, according to the report on Monday.

Sporting KC confirmed Mallouk's investment to the Kansas City Star and said the Illig family, which owned the club for two decades, would continue to manage day-to-day operations and sit on the MLS board of governors.

The Illigs acquired Sporting KC in 2006 from Lamar Hunt, the Kansas City Chiefs' late founding owner. Chiefs superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes bought a minority stake in 2021.

Forbes valued Sporting KC at $650 million in 2025. That estimate ranked 16th in the 30-club league.

The team hired Raphael Wicky as head coach on Jan. 5. They plunged to last in the Western Conference table after firing Peter Vermes, the coach since 2009, early in the 2025 season.

--Field Level Media